STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 31-year-old man was found shot and killed in West Brighton late Thursday, according to police.

The victim was a known drug dealer whose dead body was discovered by someone who went to the location to buy drugs from the 31-year-old man, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

The would-be buyer notified police, the source said.

Police discovered the man unconscious and unresponsive with bullet wounds to his chest when officers responded to a basement apartment at 214 Market St. at 11:56 p.m. on Thursday, according to a statement from the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

EMS pronounced the man dead at the scene, according to police.

No arrests have been made and the investigation into the homicide continues, according to police.

The identity of the deceased is pending family notification, police said.

Police were dispatched following a 911 call of an unconscious male inside the apartment.

A police spokesman was unable to provide a description of the shooter.

Early on Friday morning, police were on scene conducting their investigation at the home and in an adjacent open area.

Neighbors were out in the streets watching the activity and trying to find out what happened.